Popular reptile rescue centre in Mission to close
Posted November 5, 2016 8:41 pm.
Last Updated November 5, 2016 8:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MISSION (NEWS 1130) – A popular Lower Mainland animal rescue service – and attraction in its own right – will soon shut its doors, perhaps for good.
The Reptile Guy’s Rescue and Education Center in Mission will be closing November 19.
Owner Mike Hopcraft’s troubles began last December, when the SPCA seized dozens of animals after receiving a complaint about the rescue centre’s conditions.
He says he was billed $10,000 for veterinary treatments and housing of the animals that were seized.
The resulting negative publicity and declining revenue from the rescue’s education program are forcing him to close.
“As of right now, the SPCA allegations have gone absolutely nowhere. The allegations did enough damage to the name and the reputation. That’s all it took.”
Hopcraft tried fundraising on Facebook to recover the costs, but he says the $6,000 raised so far is about $19,000 short of what is needed to keep the operation going.
Hopcraft says he’s devastated that he can no longer afford to keep the shelter going.
“I like to think of myself of a tough guy. But I’ve cried more time over the past few days than I have my whole life. This is everything I know. This is my whole life’s work. To have it ripped away…for what? It’s hard.”
The centre will remain open for the next two weeks so folks will have a last chance to visit the critters.
Homes for the animals are being sought in the coming weeks.
